Steve in Texas needs some help with a decorative situation. What’s going on?

STEVE: Well, we’ve been in this house for about 10 years. I’m sorry, the house was built 10 years ago; we’ve been in it four and my wife never liked the wallpaper in the bathroom. And the question is whether – and it’s in good shape; I mean it looks like it’s on there pretty good – whether or not to tear it off and paint or whether it’s easier to texture and paint. What’s your opinion on that?

TOM: Well, you know, once you texture over it, you’re pretty much committed. I’d prefer to see you remove the wallpaper, if you possibly can. The best way to do that, especially if you have a lot of wallpaper is …

LESLIE: It’s not as hard as you think.

TOM: Yeah – is to rent a wallpaper steamer. Just go to a local tool rental house and rent a steamer and you can slowly but surely work that paper loose.

LESLIE: Mm-hmm.

TOM: And then once you get it off, make sure you reprime all of those walls before you paint.

LESLIE: And Steve, you might need to score the paper but especially if it’s a vinyl paper. You want to score it – you know, long, even strips. Don’t press too hard so you’re not cutting into the drywall behind but score the top of that paper so when you steam, that moisture can get behind it and help loosen the adhesive.

LARRY: I got you.

LESLIE: And then you can pull it away, section by section.

LARRY: Great. Well, thank you so much.

TOM: You’re welcome. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT. 888-666-3974.